the novel six girls

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Title:SixGirls
AHomeStory
Author:FannieBelleIrving
Illustrator:F.T.Merrill
ReleaseDate:May21,2008[EBook#25551]
Language:English

***STARTOFTHISPROJECTGUTENBERGEBOOKSIXGIRLS***

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S I X

G I R L S

FromAuntTremayneandRalphFROMAUNTTREMAYNEANDRALPH

SIX GIRLS
AHOMESTORY

BY

FANNIE BELLE IRVING
ILLUSTRATED BY F. T. MERRILL


BOSTON
DANAESTESANDCOMPANY
PUBLISHERS

Copyright,1882,
BYESTESANDLAURIAT.
UniversityPress:
JOHNWILSONANDSON,CAMBRIDGE.


CONTENTS.

CHAPTER

I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.
VI.
VII.
VIII.
IX.
X.
XI.
XII.

XIII.
XIV.
XV.
XVI.
XVII.
XVIII.
XIX.
XX.
XXI.
XXII.
XXIII.
XXIV.
XXV.

PAGE

UNDERTHETREES
AROUNDTHEFIRE
AFOUNDATIONTHATBROUGHTKATTOGRIEF
INCONFIDENCE
ONEDAY
ASTRANGER
MR.CONGREVESURPRISESHIMSELFANDEVERYBODYELSE
ODDSANDENDS
WHATOLIVEHEARD
THELITTLEBLACKTRUNK
WHEREISERNESTINE?
THESTORY
AYEARLATER
STUDYORPLAY?

CONGREVEHALL
UNDERTHESHADYGREEN-WOODTREE
SEVERALTHINGS
ATTHEOPERA
COMINGHOME
ASADSTORY
MYLADY
TOREAR,TOLOVE,ANDTHENTOLOSE
WHENGODDREWNEAR,AMONGHISOWNTOCHOOSE
TWOSECRETS
MERRYCHRISTMASTOALL,ANDTOALLAGOOD-NIGHT—FIVE
YEARSLATER

7
18
38
51
65
80
97
113
128
148
168
188
202
221
240
257
284

306
336
355
368
380
406
420
437


LISTOFILLUSTRATIONS.

PAGE

FROMAUNTTREMAYNEANDRALPH
"OERNESTINE,HOWLOVELY!"
KATANDKIT
THEOLDGENTLEMANLIFTEDJEANUPONTHEPOST
"NOWLET'SSEEWHAT'SINTHISWONDERFULTRUNK"
"WHY,HOWDOYOUDO,MYDEARCHILD?"
"WHATISTHEMATTER?WHATHASHAPPENED?"
MR.CONGREVEWOULDCOMEINTOTHEGALLERY

Frontispiece
17
49
92
167
244
267

314


SIXGIRLS.


CHAPTERI.
UNDERTHETREES.
THERE were ripples of sunshine all tangled in the glowing scarlet of the
geranium bed and dancing blithely over the grass. A world of melody in
quivering bursts of happy song came from the spreading canopy of leaves
overhead,andasanaccompaniment,thewindlaughedandwhisperedandkept
the air in one continual smile with a kiss on its lips, born of supreme
contentmentinthesummerloveliness.
Inthecool,deepshade,castbythegrandestofoldbeechtrees,agirlsat,her
whitedressinfreshestreliefagainstthegreensurroundings,apieceofsewingin
hernimblefingers,andthewindtossingherloosenedhairallaboutherfaceand
shoulders.Shewasquitealone,andseemedjustthesettingforthequiet,lovely
surroundings,somuchso,that,hadanartistchancedtocatchthesight,hewould
have lost no time in transferring it to canvas,—the wide stretch of grass,
alternatelysteepedincoolshadowsandmellowsunshine,thebranching,rustling
canopyofleaves,thewhite-robedfigurewithsmilinglipsandbusyfingers,and
just visible in the back-ground an old house wrapped in vines and lying in the
shade.
Somebody came from among the trees just at this moment and crossed the
grasswithapeculiarlygracefulandswayingstep,asthoughshehadjustdrifted
down with the sunshine and was being idly blown along by the wind, another
girl in the palest of pink dresses, with ripples of snowy lace all over it, and a
wide-brimmed hat shading her eyes. And speaking distance being gained, she
said,withabreezylittlelaugh:"Sewing?Why,it'stoowarmtobreathe."

"That'sthereasonIsew,"returnedtheother,withanodofenergy."Ishould
suffocateifIjustsatstillandthoughthowwarmitis.Wherehaveyoubeen?"
"Downtothepond,skippingstones,andwishingthatIcouldgoin,"answered
thenew-comer,sittingdownonthegrasswithacarefulandgracefullyeffective
arrangementofherflouncesandlace."Idon'tseewhypapawon'tletustakethe
boat;itdidlooktootempting.Supposewegoanddoit,anyhow,Bea,andjust


let him see that we can manage it without being taught. The pond is all in the
shadenow,andarowwouldbedelicious."
"Why,Ernestine!"Beasaid,withaglanceofsurprise;"Youwouldn't,Iknow.
Papawillteachusrightaway,andthenwewillhavedelightfultimes;butwhen
hehasbeensogoodastogetustheboatandpromisetohaveuslearntomanage
it,I'msureIwouldn'tdisobeyandtryalone."
Ernestine laughed again her pretty saucy laugh and threw her head back so
thatitcaughtadancingsunbeamandhelditprisonerinthebrighthair.
"Iwould,"shesaidflippantly."I'dliketo,justforthesakeofdoingsomething.
Do you know, Bea,"—knitting the arched brows with a petulant air,
—"SometimesIthinkI'lldosomethingdreadful;perfectlydreadful,youknow,
soastohavethingsdifferentforalittlebit.It'shorribletoliverightalong,just
so,withoutanythingeverhappening."
"Well I'm sure," said Bea, laying down her sewing and surveying her sister
slowly,"youhavejustaboutasgoodandeasyatimeaseverIheardofagirl's
having.Whatareyoualldressedupsofor?"
"Justforsomethingtodo.I'vetriedonallmydressesandhats,andwastedthe
blessed afternoon parading before the glass," laughed Ernestine, swinging her
pretty hat with its shirrings of delicate pink, around on her white hand. "I do
thinkthisdressislovely,soImadebelieveIwasbeingdressedbymymaidand
comingouttowalkinmyparklikeanEnglishlady,youknow."
"Englishfiddlesticks!"saidBea,withenergy."Youareagoosey.Supposeyou

had to work and couldn't have pretty things and waste your time trying them
on?"
"Whatmisery,"criedErnestine,jumpingupandwhirlingaroundonherheel
with an airy grace that the other girls might have practiced for in vain. "I
wouldn'twanttolive;itwouldbedreadful,Bea,"fallingintoanattitudewiththe
sunshine over her, "wouldn't I do well on the stage? I know I was born for it;
nowlookhere,andseeifIdon'tdoasMissNeilsondid.Justsupposethisringof
sunshineisabalconyandI'minwhite,withsuchlovelyjewelsinmyhairandall
that:
"Romeo,Romeo!whereforeartthouRomeo?"—


andawaywentErnestinewithatragicallypatheticenergythatmadeBeawatch
andlisten,inspiteofthedisapprovinglaughonherlips.
"Don'tIdoitwell?"Ernestineaskedcomplacently,aftershehadgonethrough
the entire balcony scene, with great success in the management of two
characters.
"Yes,youdo;howcanyou?"askedBea,wonfromdisapprovalbywondering
admiration.
"Easiestintheworld.I'vebeenthroughiteversomanytimessincepapatook
ustothecitytoseeher.Oh,Bea!howhappyshemustbe!I'dgiveworldsand
worlds to be in her place," cried Ernestine, with longing energy, and pacing
restlesslyupanddownthegrass."IwonderifIevercan."
"Indeed!"saidBeawithdecision."Theidea!whatwouldpapaandmamasay;
you, Ernestine Dering, parading out on a stage before crowds of people, and
flyingaroundlikeshedid.Mercyonus!"
"I'ddoitinaminute,andifIcan'tnow,Iwillsometimeanyhow,"Ernestine
exclaimedwithemphasis."Iwasn'tborntobesmuggledupinthislittlemusty
townallmylifeandIwon't,either.SomedayI'lldosomethingdesperate;you
seeifIdon't."

"Well, I do declare!" said Bea slowly, having never witnessed quite such an
energetic ending to Ernestine's spells of restless dissatisfaction. "What talk! I
thinkyou'dbettersitdownandcooloffnow.WhereareOliveandJean?"
"Olive is sketching out on the roof, and crosser than thirteen sticks. Jean is
asleep on the porch, and mama is out showing Huldah how to make cream
puffings."
"Dearme,"saidBea,bywayofanswerandlookingupwithaslightpuckerto
hersmoothforehead,"Justlookatthosegirls;Ineversawthelike."
Ernestinelookedup,tocatchaglimpseoftwoflyingfiguresjustclearingthe
fence, and come dashing across the grass like unruly arrows, to throw
themselvesundertheshadeofthebeech,withasupremedisregardforfleshand
bones.
"Goodnessgracious!"gaspedKittie.


"Graciousgoodness!"pantedKat.
"Ibeat."
"Nosir,Idid."
"Youdidn't!Iwasonthissideofthefencebeforeyoujumped."
"Justlisten!whyIwasprettyneartothetreebeforeyougottothefence."
"WhyKatDering!Youknowbetter."
"Idon't."
"Youdo."
"WellI'dfightaboutit,"saidErnestine,asthetwosatupandfacedeachother
withbelligerentcountenances."Youareaprettylookingcoupleanyhow.I'dbe
ashamed."
"Don'tcareifyouwould.Ibeatanyhow,"saidKatwithdecision.
"Indeedyoudidn't;Ididmyself,"saidKittiewithequalcertainty,butsmiling
more amicably as she fanned energetically with her hat. "Oh girls such fun! I
must,——"

"NowKittie,"criedKatwithawarningjumpandscowl.
"Blessus,I'mgoingtotell;indeedIam.You'reatrump,Kat,andtheyshall
hearallaboutit;don'tyouwanttogirls?"
"To be sure, go on," said Bea with interest and creasing down a hem with
much satisfaction in the thought that her hands looked very pretty and white,
almostasprettyasErnestine's.
"Wellyousee,"beganKitty,asKatretiredunderherhatinaspasmofunusual
modesty,"whenwecameinfromrecessthisafternoon,Katwantedtositinmy
sideoftheseat,andtoldmetoactasifIwasshe,soIthoughtitwastobealark
ofsomekindanddid,butdearme——"
"Wellgoon,"saidErnestinewithlanguidcuriosity,asKittiepausedtolaugh
atsomerecollection.
"JustassoonaswegotinMissHowardtoldustoputbooksaway;thenshe


gave us the breeziest lecture and was as solemn as an owl. I couldn't imagine
whatwasup.SusieDarrowwascryingwithherhandkerchieftohernose,Kat
lookedasifshewassittingonpinsandneedles,andIreallythoughtthatSadie
BrooksandMayMoorwouldeatusup,thewaytheyactuallyglaredatus.Well,
the first thing I knew, Miss Howard was saying something about a needle in
SusieBarrow'spen,thatshehadstuckhernosewith,andshewantedwhoever
hadputittheretocometoherdesk.That'sthewayshealwaysdoes,youknow;
nevercallsanameunlessshefindsshehasto,andblessyou!whoshouldIsee
walkingoffbutKat,andwhatdoesMissHowarddobuttakeherrulerandgive
herfifteenslapsonthehand.Kat,I'mmeaner'ndirt,andyou'reajewel;youdid
beat,I'llownup."
"Nosuchthing,youbeatyourself,"cameinasepulchralgrowlfromunderthe
hat.
"WellI'msureIdon'tseethepoint,"saidErnestinewithimpatience."Itwas
veryrudeandunlady-liketoputaneedleinSusie'spenandyoudeservedyour

fifteenslaps."
"Just wait 'till I finish, will you," cried Kittie, as the hat maintained perfect
silence, "Kat didn't do it, but she heard that I did, and that I was going to be
whipped, so she took my seat and jumped up the minute Miss Howard spoke,
andtheonlywayIfoundoutwaswhenMissHowardsaid,'NowKittieyoumust
begSusie'spardonbeforetheschool.'ThenIknewsomethingwasup,andjust
poppedrightoutofmyseatandsaidthatthatwasKat,notme,anddidn'titmake
ahub-bub,anddidn'tMissHowardlookfunny!"
"Itwaslively,"brokeinKat,andcomingoutfromunderthehatasifinspired
withtherecollection,"MissHowardlookedasblankasyouplease,andliketo
havenevergottenatthestraightofit;butafterawhilelameJacktoldhowhehad
seenSadieandMayfixitthemselves,andplantotellitwasKittie,andohdidn't
theylookcheap,anddidn'ttheycreepoffto-nightandtakeeverybookalong?"
"Butwasn'tKatjusttoodearandgoodtotakeawhippingtosaveme,"cried
Kittie,throwingbotharmsaroundhertwininahugfullofdevotion."I'llnever
forgetit,KatDering,never!"
"Well you'd better," said Kat, on whom praise and glory rested uneasily,
thoughshelookedpleasedandreturnedthehugwithinterest."You'dhavedone
itforme,Iknow,andIwouldagainforyouanyday.Let'sgooutontheroof;it's
muchcoolerthanhere."


"You'dbetternot,"laughedErnestine."Olive'souttheresketching,andshe'll
takeyourheadoffwithherusualsweetness,ifyoubotherany."
"Whocares?I'mgoing.ComeonKittie."
"No let's not; it's cool here," returned Kittie lazily. "Where have you been
Ernestine,allriggedinyourbest?"
"Been at home pining for some place to go," said Ernestine drawing the
sewingfromBea'shand,andleaningoverintothatsister'slapwithacaressive
gesture."SayBea,dear,MissNeilsonisgoingtobeinNewYorknextweek,and

Iwantyoutoaskpaifhewon'ttakeusagain;won'tyou?"
"Notfair,"criedKat;"thisisourturn."
"You,indeed;nothingbutchildren!Willyou,Bea?Hewilllistenmoreifyou
askbecauseyou'renotsofrivolousasIam."
"Yes,I'llask.I'dlovetogoagain,"saidBeawithgirlishdelightinanticipating
suchablissastherepetitionofgoingtothecityandtothetheatre."Whatplay
wouldyouliketosee?"
"Romeo and Juliet again," cried Ernestine eagerly. "Oh Bea, beg him to, for
therearesomeotherpartsthatIwanttoseehowtodo."
"Do!"echoedKittie,"Whateverdoyoumean?"
"Just what I say. I'll show you how they do; shall I, Bea?" exclaimed
Ernestine,springinggaylyintothesunshineandstrikinganattitude.
"Yes, go on; you do it beautifully," said Bea; so Ernestine plunged blithely
into the play, thoroughly entrancing her three listeners with the ease and grace
with which she spoke and acted, and receiving showers of applause as she
paused.
"Howdelightful,"criedKittie,inalongingrapture.
"Nonsense,"exclaimedKat,whohadlistenedintentlywithhernosesteadily
ontheascent,"Itlooksallveryprettyandnicehere,butIshouldthinkanybody
wouldfeellikeafooltogetoutonastageandgorantingaboutlikethat."
"Oh!it'stoodelightful,"criedErnestine,asBeapassednocommentexcepta
little sigh. "I shall run away some day sure as the world and become a great


actress;thenI'llberichandfamousandyou'llallforgiveme."
"I thought you always wanted to sing," said Kittie, chewing grass
thoughtfully, as she meditated on this new and startling talent and wondered
whatwouldnextdevelop.
"SoIdo,butIshallsingandactboth.NowthenpretendthatIamMarguerite,
inFaust,youknow,andseeifyoudon'tthinkIcandoboth,aswellasone."So

theyalllookedandlistened,whileshesangandsang,'tilltheverybirdshushed
theirmusicinenviouslistening,andtherustlingleavesseemedtogrowstillin
very amaze. The sunshine danced over her bright hair, and the lovely face
flashedwitharadiantexcitementthatshowedhowdeepanenjoymenteventhe
pretensewastoher.
"OErnestine,howLovely!"
"OERNESTINE,HOWLOVELY!"
Rapturousapplausefollowed,andanewvoicecriedout,"Oh!Ernestine,how
lovely;doitover,"andturning,theybeheldanadditionalthreetotheaudience.
Jeanleaningonherlittlecrutch,wildwithdelight;Olive,tallandstillwithacurl
onherliptomatchthescowlonherforehead;andmother,—butwhatwasthe
matterwithmother,Beawondered.Shewasverypale,andthoughshesmiled,it
didnothidethetremblethathungtohercolorlesslips.
Backtocontents


CHAPTERII.
AROUNDTHEFIRE.
A SEPTEMBER twilight was coming on slowly, and in the grass the crickets
chirped back and forth to each other. The house was all open, and through the
windowscameamerrychatter,afewrattlingnotesofthepiano,andsomething
thatsoundedverymuchlikeawarmargument,foragameofchesswasgoingon
byonewindow.Outonthebroadporchthatranallalongthefrontofthehouse,
and was shrouded with vines, stood a girl, leaning idly against the post and
watchingtheshadowsgatheracrossthelongwalk.Shewasnotaprettygirl,nor
onethatyouwouldcaretolookattwice,becauseofanypleasureitgaveyou;
thoughhadyoureallystudiedherfacetheremighthavebeensomethingfoundin
itafterall.Therewasadrawn,discontentedlookabouthermouth,thatmadethe
lipslookthinandsnappish;itevenspoiledtheshapeofherreallyprettynose,
which was straight and finely cut. The brows, straight and black, held a heavy

frownbetweenthem,andtheeyesbeneathhadanunsatisfied,sourlook,notat
allattractive.Herforeheadwasaltogethertoohighforbeautyofanykind;and
asthoughtherewasareliefinmakingherselflookjustasuglyaspossible,all
her hair was drawn back painfully smooth, and tucked into a net. Everything
abouther,fromthecrookedlookofhernecktietothetoeofherslipper,withits
rosette gone, plainly indicated that she was dissatisfied with herself and aided
nature by her own carelessness and indifference, to make herself just as
unattractive as possible. Some one came up behind her as she stood there
indulginginthoughtsanythingbutpleasingandlaidagentletouchonherarm.
"Olive?"
"Well?"
"Whatmakesyouliketostaybyyourselfsomuch,andwhereitisn'tsonice?
Theyardisgettingsodark,andit'srealchilly.Don'tyouevergetafraid?"
"Afraidhereonthesteps?That'ssilly,Jean."
"Perhaps'tis,butI'msuchabigcoward;Isupposeit'sbecauseIcouldn'trunif
anythingeverwastohappen;"andJeangavealittlesigh,asshesmoothedthe


paddedtopofhercrutch.
Olive gave a little start, half impatient, and turned around to ask, almost
wistfully, "Jean, do you never get tired or impatient, or think sometimes that
you'd rather be dead than always walk on a crutch and have your back grow
crooked?"
"Why,Olive!"Jeanliftedherbeautifuleyestolookathersister'srestlessface,
"Icouldn'tbesowickedasthat,couldyou?"
InthetwilightOliveflushedatthequestionandatthecleareyessearchingher
face. How many, many times had she wished she was dead, and for nothing
except that she was ugly and awkward, and bound to see everything with the
darkestsideup.
"I'mnotasgoodasyou,"sheansweredevasively.

"OhI'mnotgood,"saidJean,withalittlelaugh,halfasigh,"Idogetrealtired
sometimes,Olive,andIdowanttobestraightandwellsomuch;butMissWillis
toldmesomethinginSunday-schoollastSunday,thathasmademefeelsogood;
shesaid,'Jeanie,don'tgetimpatientordiscouraged,forGodhasareasonwhyhe
wantsyoutobelame;itistobeforthebestsomeway,andperhapssometime
you will see it;' and she said that when I tried to be happy and bear my lame
back, it made God very happy; and when I was cross and fussy, it made him
sad."
Olivegavehereyesaswiftbrushwiththebackofherhand,andaskedwitha
littlechoke,"Doyoubelieveallthat,Jean."
"Why,Olive,yes!Don'tyou?"
"Idon'tknow,—whoisthat?"wasOlive'sratherdisjointedanswer,astheclick
ofthegatesoundedthroughthestilleveningair.
"It'sErnestine,Iknow,'causeshewentuptown;—yes,theresheis;"answered
Jean,asafigureappearedunderthefoliageandcametowardthesteps.
HowdifferentshelookedfromOliveandJean.Suchaslim,gracefulfigure,
with a proud little head and sunny shining hair, in loose puffs and curls and a
jauntyhat.Afacelikeafreshlily,andbeautifulbrowneyes,thesweetestvoice,
andthevainestlittlehearteverknowntoagirloffifteen,hadErnestineDering;
and yet she was a favorite, with all her little vanities, and home, without


Ernestine'sface,wouldhavebeenblanktoallthegirls.Shecamerunningupthe
stepsandstopped.
"Oh,Olive,suchlaces!"shecried,withalongingsigh."Theyaresellingout
atcost,andtheribbonsandlacesarejustgoingforalmostnothing;ifIhadjust
hadalittlespendingmoneyIwouldhavebeeninclover.Oneclerkjustinsisted
uponmytakinganexquisitelacescarf;ohitwassobecoming!butItoldhimI
didn'tknowtheyweresellingout,andthatIwouldhavetocomeagain."
"Pretty way of talking!" snapped Olive ungraciously. "You know you won't

haveanymoremoneyanotherdaythanyouhavethis;whycouldn'tyousayno?"
"Say that I couldn't afford it?" cried Ernestine gayly. "Not I. Besides, I
reasonedthatifoneofyouwouldloanmesome,I'dhavemoreanotherday."
"Supposeoneofuswon't,"saidOlive,lookingdarklyoverhersister'spretty
hat.
"I didn't suppose you would," laughed Ernestine "But fortunately for me, I
havesomeobligingsisters,"andwiththatshot,Ernestinewentin,singinglikea
mockingbird,andJeanfollowedslowly,lookingbackonceortwicetoOlive's
motionlessfigure.
Ohhowitcut!Olivegrewflushedandwhite,thenherbrowscametogether
darkly and her lips shut tight. "Ernestine is too frivolous to live," she said
grimly;thenlookedstraightoffintotheeveningskyandwassilent.Butdownto
herproud,sensitiveheartshewashurt,andinitwasthelongingwonder,"Why
don'tshecometomeandaskasshedoesofBeaandtheothers.Iwouldloanit
toher;"butthisfeelingshefiercelyrefusedtocountenance,andshutherheart
grimly,asshedidherlips.
The broad old hall that ran clear through the house was growing quite dark
withshadows;thegameofchesshadended,andtheplayersleftthewindow,and
presentlyOliveturnedslowlyandwentintothehouse.Throughthesitting-room
camealivelychatter,andasshepassedthedoorsomeoneshouted,"Halloo!"
"WellI'mnotdeaf.Doyouwantme?"
"Piningtohaveyou;comesitonmylap."
Olive passed in, but disregarded the hospitably inclined young lady who
loungedinabigchair,andpassedontoaduskycorner,whereshecurledupon


thelounge.
"Olive," volunteered Kittie, who was in the window-sill, "mama has a plan;
she'sgoingtotellusaftersupper,andwe'veallbeentryingtoguesswhatitis;
whatdoyouthink?"

"Idon'tthinkanything."
"Whatagloriouslackofcuriosity,"laughedKat.
"IsupposeI'mjustascontentedasanyofyouwithyourguessing,"returned
Olive.
"WellIwish,"saidErnestinewithanenergythatbroughtinstantattention,"I
wish papa was going to increase our allowances. Two dollars a month is a
shamefullittle."
"Butitamountstotendollarswhenpaidtofivegirls,"addedBeatricequickly,
"besidesJean'stwenty-fivecents."
"Agirlisn'tsupposedtospendtwodollarseverymonthforfoolishness,"said
Oliveseverely."Youmightcallitalittleifyouhadtoliveonit."
"I exist on my pretty things almost as much as I do on my food," answered
Ernestineflippantly,"andwhatdoestwodollarsbuy?"
"Suppose you go awhile without spending it, then you'll have more,"
suggestedKittiepractically.
"Yes," added Kat with a laugh. "Kittie saved fifty cents last month, and I
savedjustthree;whydon'tyoudoaswedoandeconomize."
"Howmuchhaveeachofyousavedaltogethersincepapabeganpayingus?"
askedBeatrice."Ihaveninedollarsandthirty-fourcents."
"Whew!"whistledKittie."I'vegotjustthree.Itellyoucaramelsaredisastrous
tomypocketmoney."
"Iwearoutmygloves,lovebutter-scotch,andlostmyheadoveracertainpair
of slippers; consequence, two dollars and eight cents in my treasury," moaned
Kat,withgreatselfreproach.
"Well, I do everything that is frivolous, and unwise, and extravagant, but I
haveagoodtime,andtheresultisthatIhaven'tacent,andamindebtadollar,"


laughedErnestine,kickingoutherprettyfootwithitsfancylittleslipper,asifin
defiancetoanyone'scriticismsorreproofs.

"Twomoretohearfromyet,"saidBeatrice,assilencefell."Jeanie,haveyou
spentallyourquarters?"
"No,"saidJeanslowlyandwithmuchhesitation,"Ihadtwodollarsandspent
oneforasash."
"AndIborrowedtheother,"interruptedErnestine,seeingthatthechilddidnot
wanttotellonher."Howmuchhaveyou,Olive?"
"Imadenopromisetotell,"leapedtoOlive'slips;butinsteadofspeakingit,
she electrified them by saying, with a quiet smile of satisfaction, "Thirty
dollars."
Itdidmorethansurprisethem;itwasalmostastunforaminuteortwo;then
Ernestineslowlyopenedherlips:"Why,OliveDering!whereverdidyougetit?
Ifyou'dneverspentacentofyourallowance,papahasn'tbeenpayinguslong
enoughforittoamounttothat."
"Isuppose,foragirlthatisn'tafool,therearemorewaysofgettingmoney
than sitting down with her hands folded and letting her father give it to her,"
retortedOlivewithasnap.
"That's so, Olive," echoed Beatrice, with a heartiness that made them jump.
"Butwhatdidyoudo?tellusquick;seeeveryoneofusstiffwithcuriosity."
ItjustoccurredtoOlivetoletthemremainstiffwithcuriosity,butperhapsan
amountofsatisfactioninthewayshehadearnedhermoneyiswhatchangedher
mind;atanyrate,shebeganmorereadilythantheothersexpected:"Isoldthe
oldironoutinthebarn,andseveralbagsofrags;thenI'vedonesomewritingfor
papa's clerk, because he was hurried; and last week I sold my picture. Of my
allowanceIonlyspentenoughfortwopairsofgloves,thathavelastedmewith
mending;sothat'showImademymoney."
"Blessingsonyou!"criedKatenthusiastically."Ilookuponyouasamodel,
Olive,aliving——"
"Nothing of the kind," interrupted Olive sharply, and rising up out of her
corner,asifwarmingtothesubject."I'monlytryingtobesensible;we'reallold
enoughtobethat,andbesomethingmoretoo.Iwonderifwearenevergoingto

doanythingbutsithereathome,withpapatofeedanddressus,besidesgiving
usanallowanceforlittlethingsandnonsense.Ithinkit'swrong,andlazy,anda
nambypambywayofbeingauselessthing,justbecauseyouareagirl!Besides,
papaisworriedandtroubled;yesheis;—"warmingstillmoreatthebreathless
attention given her. "The other night, he and mama talked for hours, and I
couldn't help hearing a little, because the transom was open. His voice was
troubled, so was mama's, and sad, and he said something about 'lessening
expenses,' and the difficulty of getting any ready money, and all that, and I
believeinmyheartthatweoughttohelphim!"
Intothestunnedsilencethatfollowedthisoutburstfromshort-spoken,reticent
Olive,therecameanewvoice;suchasweet,lovelyvoicewithatenderringthat
madeeveryonestarttowelcomethespeaker.
"Howdarkyouare,dears.Areallmystepshere?"
"All here, solemnly engaged," answered Kat, unfolding herself from the big
chairtomakeaseatformother.
"Andjustthink,"criedKittie,withalurchthatprettyneartippedheroutofthe
window."Olive——"
"Has done wonders," interrupted Beatrice. "Be still all of you! Let's not tell
mamayet."
Mrs.Deringlaughedcheerily,atthesuddenpoppingof asecretintotheair,
but announced that supper was ready, at which there was such a stampede as
onlyalotofhungry,healthygirlscanmake,andthesitting-roomwasleftdark
andstill.
Youseethereweresixofthem—fivestrongbrightgirls,andonelittlelame
sister, to laugh and sing, and make that big, roomy, comfortable, old home
happy.Beatrice,seventeen;Ernestine,sixteen;Olive,fifteen;thenKatherineand
Kathleen or Kittie and Kat, twelve, and lastly, little Jean, with her flower-like,
patientfaceandpoorcrookedlittleback.Tohelpandguidethem,wasthedear,

loving mother who called them her 'steps;' and the strong, helpful father, who
rompedandplayed,orreadandstudiedwiththemandcalledKittieandKat'his
boys;' Olive his 'right hand man;' Ernestine, 'his picture;' Beatrice, his 'little
woman,'andJeanhis'littlepansy.'Sonowthatyouknowthemalittlebetter,let
usgointothedining-roomandseewhattheyaredoing.MeetingsattheDering
tablearealwayslivelyones,"Goodfordigestionandspirits,"saidpapaDering,


soeverybodytalkedand laughed andateheartily, andwentawaywithoutsour
faces or sour stomachs. To-night, though, there is a change. Mr. Dering had a
remarkforeachofthegirlsastheycamein,thenlapsedintosilence,andstirred
hiscoffeeabsently.EvenMrs.Deringcouldnothidealittleanxiety,thoughshe
triedtobegayandinterestedinthegirls'talk,asusual.WithOlive'swordsfresh
intheirminds,therestcloselywatchedthefacesofbothparents,andeachgirl
had thoughts and made plans, in every way characteristic of their respective
selves.
Mr.Deringpresentlybrokeasilencebyaskingtobeexcused,ashemustgo
back to the store—two most unusual things; for he always sat and talked at
supper'tillallwerethrough,andrarelyeverletanythingtakehimawayfroman
eveningathome;sonowonderthemealwasshortened,andthepartybrokeup.
"Ohhownice!"criedJean,astheyreturnedtothesitting-room,whereintheir
absence,abrightfirehadbeenbuiltinthegrate,andfilledtheroomwithawarm
rosyglow."Here'smyseat."
"We'lltelloursecretsbythefirstfireoftheseason,"saidMrs.Dering,asthe
girlsallfollowedJean'sexample,bypullingtheirchairsintothecircleofwarmth
and light. "I thought it was so chilly this evening that firelight would be more
cosyandcheerfulthanalamp.Nowthen,whoshallbegin?"
"Ohyou,please,"criedKittie."Wearesoanxious."
Every face warmly seconded her words, so Mrs. Dering began, after a
moment'ssilence.

"Whenyouwerealllittlechildrenmamaneverletanythingworryordisturb
you if she could help it, and if anything ever did, you came right to her to be
comfortedandhelped.Papaneverletyoubecoldorhungry,andwithoutclothes,
orbesick,ifhecouldhelpit,andtheybothlovedyoutenderly,didn'tthey?"
"Whygoodness,yes!"criedKat,withglistening,astonishedeyes.
"Andnowthatyouhavebecomesuchbigdaughters,theyloveyounonethe
less,butmoreifpossible;becausenowtheymustgiveyoumorethoughtasyou
growtowomanhood.Nowif——"
"Ohyouneedn'tsayanotherword!"criedBeatriceimpulsively."Youlookas
ifyoudidn'tknowhowtotellus;butweknow.Yoursecretisthesameasours;
papaisworried,andweareall,everyoneofus,readytohelphim!"


"Whymydeargirls!"criedmama,withhereyesfulloftears."Howdidyou
know?"
"Olivesaw,andthenheardtheothernight,"criedKittieexcitedly."She'sgot
thirtydollarsalready,andwasgivingusaregularlecturejustbeforesupper.Now
I'mgoingto——"
"Waitaminute,dear,"saidmama,laughingassheshookherfinger."Iknew
Olivewassavingherallowance,andthatshehadearnedsomemoney,andIwas
verymuchpleased;butIammorethanhappytofindthatshewasdoingitfor
papa."
To every one's surprise, Olive grew scarlet and turned her face clear away
fromthelight;butshebroughtitbackinaminute,andsaid,withlipsthattried
to be stiff and firm—for praise was dear to Olive—"I didn't do it for papa—I
didn't know then—I——" and then, sooner than cry, Olive stopped, and left
themtothinkwhattheywould.
"Butyouarewillingforittogotopapanow,"finishedMrs.Dering,smiling
brightly,andbringingsomeofthecloudfromOlive'seyes."Thatisjustasnoble,
dear,"andwiththeseskillfullythrowninwords,mothersmiledagain,foronly

sheunderstoodherdaughter'speculiardisposition.
"WhenIwasagirl,"wentonMrs.Dering,"Grandpawasverywealthy,you
know, and of course gave me every advantage. I took music from the most
distinguished professors, also painting and the languages, and at the age of
eighteen, was handed over to society as finished in every way. I loved the
gayetiesthatsurroundedme,justaswellaseveragirlcould,butafterawhile,it
struckmeasbeingsuchanidle,aimlesslife,forawelleducated,sensiblegirlto
live,soIdeterminedtomakeuseofallthatIhadreceived.Ihadasmallclassin
music,andoneinpaintinganddrawing;someofthempaid,andsome,members
ofmySunday-schoolclass,didnot.Afterthat,Ifeltsomuchhappierandmore
contented,andenjoyedallmyfunsomuchmore,soIdecidedthatifeverIhad
any daughters, they should be fitted to be independent, whether it was ever
necessaryornot.IhaveneverbeenabletosupplyyouwithmastersasIwas,but
Ihavetaughtyouthoroughlymyself,andwhileIdidnotintendthatyoushould
beginquitesoearly,thetimehascomesuddenly,whenwemustallhelp.Soyou,
myoldergirls,Iwantyoutochooseasyourchoicelies,andfityourselvessoas
tomakeityourstand-by,inthisandothertimesoftrouble."
"Oh," exclaimed Ernestine, with a sudden smile; she had looked very much


worried,forworkorself-denialwasdistasteful,andyetitseemedsonear.But
nowshesmiledandnoddedbrightly,"IknowwhatIwilldo,mama.I'llgoon
cultivatingmyvoiceandworkhard,sothatImaytakeapositioninsomecity
church, where everything is so elegant and prima-donnas get such immense
salaries."
"Yes,dear,musicisunmistakablyyourtalent,"saidMrs.Dering,andifthey
hadonlynoticedit,shedidnotsmile,andhereyes,fixedonthefire,weretinged
withdeepsadnessforamoment."Cultivateyourvoice,andyourfingerstoo;for
thepositionsasprima-donnasaresometimeslacking,thenyouhavealittleclass
tofallbackon."

Whennoonewaslooking,Ernestinegaveherheadadecidedlittleshake.It
would be altogether touching and delightful, to stand up in a choir before a
beautifulcongregation,withapalelilyinyourhat,thesunlightthroughastained
glass falling all around, and sing something pathetic, that would make people
cry,andthenhaveeveryonesay:"Suchanobleyounggirl,shedoesittohelpher
father."Butaclass!Alotoflittlechildrentotalkto,andteach,noonetoever
see,orcompliment;—no!Ernestinewouldnevercultivateherfingers;thatwas
sure.
"I'm a sort of jack at all trades," said Beatrice breaking a thoughtful pause
withalittlesigh."Iplayalittle,singalittle,drawalittle,butI'venotalentfor
either,oranythingelse."
"Iknowsomeonewhoisveryfondofbooksandchildren,"saidMrs.Bering,
withasuggestivesmile.
"Oh!tobesure,"criedBeatrice,brightening."Teach,soIcould.Wellnow,I'll
gorighton,harderthaneverwithmystudies,andworkuptheFrench;Inever
cangetGerman;Ihaven'tthenecessarytwisttomytongue."
Olivewasstudyingthefirewithanintensedreamygaze.Shedidnotsaywhat
shewoulddo,buteveryoneknew,oratleastsupposedtheyknew.Olive'stalent
layinherpencil.Suchwonderfulpicturesasshecouldrapidlysketch,whenthe
differentmoodstookher!
"Well,Ishouldliketoknow,"criedKittieabruptly."WhatwillKatandIdo?
Wehaven'tgotashadowofatalentofanykind,anddon'treallyknowhowto
behaveourselvesyet;why,mama——,"


"Ihaveyouallfixed,dear,"interruptedmama."Justwaitaminute."
"There isn't anything that I can do either," said Jean, with a pathetic little
smile."ButIwillgiveupmyquartereverymonth;perhapsthatwillhelppapaa
verylittlebit."
"That's it, Jeanie," cried Kat, with a startling suddenness. "We'll do it too,

Kittie,andthatwillmakefourdollarsandaquarterlessforpapatohandover
everymonth.Secondthemotion,Kittie?"
"Done!"echoedKittie,andeverybodyhadaheartylaughasthetwinsshook
handsviolentlyoverthetable.
"But,mama,"saidOlive'squietvoice,breakinginupontheracket,"Yousay
papaisworriednow,andyetwhatthegirlshavedecidedtodo,theycanonlydo
when they have fitted themselves for it; can't we do anything to help right
away?"
"Quite right, dear," answered Mrs. Dering. "You can all help right away;
thoughinawaythatpapawillstronglyobjectto,forhedoesnotliketodeprive
homeofanypleasures,orlittleluxuriesthathecanafford.Butwewillgoahead
andmakeourplansandtakehimbystorm.First,thereisthehorseandcarriage;
it will seem hard and strange for a while without it, but it is a great expense,
together with Jack's wages. Papa has an opportunity of selling the buggy, and
Mr. Phillips will take 'Prince' until we can afford to keep him again. Are you
willing?"
"Yes,mama,"inaratherfeeblechorus,withErnestine'svoicelacking.'Prince'
wassuchapet—Odear!
"Andthen,Lizzie,"continuedMrs.Dering,apparentlynotnoticingthewayall
facesweregoingdown."Wecangetalongwithonegirl,ifweallmakeupour
minds to work. The house is large and it will take all of our hands to do the
necessarycleaning;butwecan,can'twe?"
"Yes,mama."Alittlemoreenergythistime.OnlyErnestinesigheddolefully,
and laid her hands out on her lap. Such slim little hands and so white. It was
perfectly horrible to be poor and have to go to work; yes it was, and she
privatelyresolvedtoshirkjustasmuchaspossible.
They had a long evening's talk over the coming change and how they were
goingtodo,butatteno'clock,asMr.Deringwasstillabsent,theyseparatedfor

thenight,andmamacarriedsleepylittleJeanofftobedinherarms.
Beatrice and Ernestine roomed together in the front room, the twins in one
next,andOlivealoneacrossthehall.Generally,whilegettingreadyforbed,the
doors were left open, and a merry conversation carried on; but to-night, they
were full of thought, and had not much to say, so everything settled into quiet
verysoonafterthe"goodnights"hadbeenspoken.
Inthefrontroom,thegirlswerewakeful.Beatrice,astheoldestsister,felt,in
her quiet thoughtful way, that perhaps, the way she did in the coming change,
wouldactasanexampletotheothers;andthatanextradutyrestedonher,tobe
aspatientandwillingaspossible,inwhatevermightbenecessaryforthemtodo,
and to be all to mother, that an elder daughter should be, in time of trouble.
Ernestine was also deep in thought, and had twisted her pillow into such a
position,thatthemoonlightmadequiteahaloaroundheryellowhairandmade
herface,withitsbeautifuleyes,looklikeacameoingoldensetting.Sheknewit,
too,justaswellasBeatrice,whoatthatmoment,turnedandlookedather,and
furthermore,sheknewjusthowtogoonwithwhatshewantedtoaccomplish.
"Bea," she said, with her voice dropped to its sweetest, "I want you to do
somethingforme."
"What?"
"Yousaidyouhadninedollars,willyouloanmefive?"
"How?Iwasgoingtogiveittopapato-morrow."
"Youknowhewouldn'ttakeit,"beganErnestine,impatiently;thensmoothed
hervoicecarefullyagain,andwenton:"Papawon'thaveusgiveupeverything,
Bea.Weareallwillingtolessenexpensesathome,butwearenottoscrimpand
pinchourselvesalltopieces.I'llpayyoubackjustassoonas——"
"Itisn'tthat,"interruptedBea,"ButIdon'tseehowyoucanwanttospendit
now."
"ButIdo;therearetheloveliestlacescarfs——"
"Lacescarfs;"criedBeaagain,inshockedsurprise."Wouldyou,Ernestine?—
Fivedollars?"

"Certainly!Sincewe'vemademyoldblacksilkover,itlookssonice,andI've